Farmers in Leyte province have thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for reviving the Kadiwa stores as direct market access which has significantly raised their income.

Maria Rhodora Valez, president of the New Kawayan Farmers Association in this city, said the weekly Kadiwa at the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) regional office in Palo town has assured them of a stable market for their products.

“In the past, traders and middlemen dictated prices of our produce. Through Kadiwa, we have been selling affordable fresh vegetables directly to consumers,” Valez said.

When the government launched the weekly Kadiwa at PCA two years ago, the farmers’ group led by Valez used a motorcycle to transport their products. Recently, the group acquired a small truck.

Valez recalled that before participating in Kadiwa, they only earned PHP30 for every kilo of ampalaya or bitter melon from traders. The traders then sold their produce to buyers at PHP60 per kilogram.

“Through Kadiwa, we have been selling ampalaya at only PHP40 directly to consumers. During the paydays of government employees, we have earned up to PHP30,000 in just two days,” she added.

Annalyn Mabolo, whose family has been selling turmeric powder, processed peanuts, and vinegar, said the weekly Kadiwa has raised their gross sales by 40 percent.

“Our product is more visible to target buyers since the Kadiwa is located outside the PCA or within the Government Center and it is very accessible to many employees of national government agencies,” Mabolo said.

During his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Marcos cited the advantages of Kadiwa Stores to ensure the stability of prices of farm products.

The President reported that at least 1.8 million families have benefitted from the more than 7,000 Kadiwa stores set up nationwide with about PHP700 million sales.

Kadiwa stands for “Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita,” a marketing strategy of the government that directly connects food producers to consumers, making products less costly.

It is implemented through the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance, which seeks to empower the farming community by providing a direct and effective farm-to-consumer food supply chain. (PNA)